campfire audio is a brand that consistently knows how to market a great product. From in-ear monitors across the board that have memorable names and even more memorable designs, Campfire Audio is always raising the game. They released a pair of limited edition IEMs, with only 888 models made. Retails at $1199, Campfire Audio Moon Rover IEMs take your music out of this world.
What does the box contain?
- Moon Rover IEMs made from flame-treated titanium
- Super Smoky Litz cable with 3.5 mm jack
- x6 pads (3 silicone, 3 foam) in sizes S, M and L
- Pebble Gray Leather Bifold Wallet – Handmade in Portugal
- Small Black Split Mesh Drawstring Bag
- IEM Cleaning Tool and Microfiber Cloth
- CA Lapel Pin
Aesthetics and Functionality
When it comes to aesthetics, Campfire Audio never fails. The box itself is a delight to behold, with intricate illustrations decorating all six sides. It's completely wrapped in text, color and design, so there's no doubt which brand you're looking at. Even when you open it, the design continues and decorates the interior panels. Instead of a technical specifications booklet, Campfire Audio has chosen to place all the information in the packaging design. It's a unique feature found in almost all other Campfire Audio designs, where the box itself is the gift that keeps on giving. Inside are not only the monitors, but also a handmade Portuguese leather wallet and a lapel pin adorning the Campfire Audio logo.
The monitors themselves are another beauty. With its flame-treated titanium frame, the chrome gray color shines and reflects a rainbow of colors. It really looks like they took a piece of the moon and made an earpiece out of it. The gray cable is easy to connect and the 6 pairs of eartips allow for custom comfort in both size and material. They were easy to plug into my computer and start using, and I can imagine they would be a great pair for people working on the go. It is a comfortable in-ear fit; I wasn't afraid of it falling at any point during the process or listening experience. They have the perfect balance of feeling light during use without feeling flimsy, but have enough weight to let you know you have a quality product in your hand.
Technical specifications
- 12mm flat driver
- Frequency response: 5Hz – 20kHz
- SPL: 94 dB at 1 kHz
- Impedance: 22.5Ω
- THD
Hearing check
sound stage
The soundstage of the Moon Rovers is, like the rest of the product, remarkable. It offers a uniform distribution in the stereo field and a clean response throughout the frequency range. The extended bass is noticeable and the treble comes like a breath of fresh air. They don't have active noise cancellation technology, but with the internal design, the sound isolation is immediately noticeable and immersive without even trying. The outside environment has a hard time transmitting, allowing you to hear audio more clearly than with a regular pair of headphones.
Low frequencies
The bass is nice and bassy, as you would expect from a pair of headphones that start their frequency range at 5Hz. They have a nice warmth and earthiness to them, which is somewhat ironic for IEMs called “Moon Rover”. The kick drums and bass lines have a nice punchy and present quality. I love a good bass tone, and these check all my boxes. The most notable bass sound was in the instrumentation of David Byrne's “Glass, Concrete & Stone,” where percussion and cello took front and center stage. He provided a solid foundation on which to build the rest of the song, all without becoming too overwhelming. He didn't drown out the rest of the instrumentation, and this remained true for the other genres I heard on the Moon Rovers.
Midrange frequencies
This section comes out crisp and clean, where you get a nice, detailed listen that's not too direct. Voices that normally fall in this range receive good color and placement in the stereo field, and are not lost in the mix. The mid-bass is a beautiful complement to the bass tones you get in the lower frequencies, ensuring a smooth transition from one section to the next. It can get a little muddy in the upper-mid range, so it sounds like some female vocals were cut out. I heard this most clearly on No Doubt's “Do n't Speak,” where Gwen Stefani's voice was slightly warped from what she originally remembered. That being said, that didn't take away from my enjoyment of the song or stop me from pursuing many other genres.
High frequencies
As always, the high end offers balance and relief from all the bass that is natural to IEMs. They're bright and colorful and give you a much-needed break from the low frequencies, especially since the top end cuts off around 20kHz. “Chelsea Morning” by Joni Mitchell has lots of crisp guitar harmonics that sit high and are heard without being piercing or straining your ears. Even rock songs with loud cymbals do not tire the ear, and classical music was given the space and height it needed.
Summary
To conclude, Moon Rover IEMs are something any audiophile would be lucky to have. In addition to their impressive packaging design, which is a work of art in itself, the monitors deliver quality, clean and consistent sound across the entire frequency range. They are great for occasional listening in a lot of environments or for quick audio editing for people who work with sound. I would definitely choose this pair for my daily use, such as occasional listening and background music while working. As a limited edition design, the Moon Rover is something you won't want to miss.
He lunar vehicles are available in Audio46.
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